Community rallying to save tennis courts

TREDYFFRIN — Ever since neighbors of Valley Forge Elementary received mailed notice that the school’s tennis courts would be demolished, they have been busy trying to ensure their survival.

Because of the uproar, the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District has announced that it will hold a meeting on the issue Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the district administrative offices in Wayne.

Just over two weeks ago, the district sent a letter to residents saying the courts would be eliminated starting March 23, for the purpose of adding a new parking lot. Since then, along with citizen protest, there has been a public back-and-forth between Tredyffrin Township and the district.

On March 21, Tredyffrin Township Manager Bill Martin issued a release stating that while the township issued demolition and grading permits, it was not involved in the decision process, nor was the removal required under its stromwater ordinance regarding impervious surfaces with the new lot construction.

In a response letter also released publicly, the district said it saw a chance to save taxpayers money by trading one impervious surface for the other, and that district officials and the previous township manager discussed the plan, and the district was told it was a “viable way to proceed with the project.”

The letter said that the district told the township over six months ago that it would remove the courts as per the original plan, and that after a bid was accepted, a permit was issued by the township on March 18.

The letter also provided a recent history of the courts, saying that in 2009, the township asked that the school district take over maintenance. It said that request was declined, and at no time has the district maintained the courts.

The district planned to proceed with demolition on March 23, but residents made their voices heard almost immediately, to both the district and the township. The courts were padlocked as the date approached, but as concerns were raised, the lock was taken off the gate.

At the March 18 school board meeting, resident Rosemary McKinley addressed the board, saying the courts’ removal would be unfair to the neighborhood.

“There are four other places where there are courts, one for each community, and this one was for our community,” said McKinley, who has lived next to the school for 16 years. “This is the only one on this side of Route 202, so my comment to the board was that no kids here would be able to walk or ride their bike to play tennis.”

Resident Matt Morgan said their elimination would negatively alter the grounds which many utilize.

“If it’s a nice day, it isn’t uncommon to see people using the courts, people sitting on the benches waiting to play, kids playing on the playground and the basketball courts,” Morgan said. “It is a nice neighborhood gathering place, especially on the weekends.

“What’s clear is that eliminating to courts is not necessary to build the parking lot.”

Morgan and McKinley agreed that if maintenance costs for the courts are an issue, members of the community will take on the burden.

“I’m sure a lot of people would be willing to chip in money,” McKinley said.

School board member Liz Mercogliano said she is with the residents.

“There is no legitimate reason based on impervious surface, stormwater management, safety (or) sink holes to remove the court,” Mercogliano said in an e-mail. “The parking can be built in same area with no issue as there is more land space.

“The community deserves their right to be heard and look into other means of raising funds for maintenance and possible takeover of the court through the Parks and Recreation board or a similar foundation to raise funds. I am supporting a delay to allow the opportunity for the taxpayer to seek an alternative method to save the courts for the kids.”